Winemakers
Winemaker
Jason Bushong Road to Graveyard Vineyards Runs Through Humboldt and Cucamonga
Brian Williams/VINO
Winemaker Jason Bushong produces award-winning wines at Graveyard Vineyards. Brian Williams VINO
J
ason Bushong’s road to Graveyard Vineyards didn’t involve stints in Napa or Bourdeaux. It began with a life-changing taste in Riverside, followed by stops in Humboldt County and Cucamonga. Bushong, just a senior in high school, was living in Riverside and had some buddies attending college. “They brought home some wine. It was a Sanford Chardonnay,” Bushong, 42, recalls. “So, we tried it and I was like ‘wow this is fantas14 Fall 2013
Published by the Paso
tic.’ I just never really got into the beer thing in college. I was always into wine.” After high school, Bushong moved north and earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Humboldt State. During college, Bushong worked with Bob Hodgson at Fieldbrook Winery during harvest and learned about growing grapes and making wine in a cool, wet climate. Humboldt County is known for its pinot noir, chardonnay and cabernet franc. He worked for a couple of years with Daryl Mason at Vinatura Winery in Arcata while his wife attained her master’s degree. The couple then moved to Cucamonga, where Bushong landed his
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